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Cassirin · 06-14-2017, 01:23 AM

Botanical Hybrids: Combining Magical and Mundane
In a bright and airy room of the conservatory, Herbologist Ethan McCarthy is waiting to speak to his guests about the concept and benefits of hybrid plants. Large and small plant-life is abundant here as they are interspersed throughout the room and also found on the long table behind the man speaking today. Also on the table are several plates of a variety of fruits and vegetables. A grouping of chairs is provided for the comfort of those in attendance for this topic.

ooc: Remember, this is not a lesson like in the school RPG. Due to the nature and format of these presentations, please try to limit yourself to one main reaction post in response to the presentation/speech showing your character listening/participating/reflecting as you see fit. You may post a second time after the speaker character responds to your questions, or to interact with the speaker at the end of the presentation.

emjay · 06-25-2017, 05:13 AM

Though public speaking wasn't exactly his forte, Ethan was somewhat excited to talk about the work he did in the Environmental Protection department of the German Ministry. He really felt in his element at the conservatory with the abundant plant life and he had plenty of his own here with him today. Once he made sure he had everything set up how he wanted it and a small crowd had assembled at the appropriate time, Ethan got started with his presentation.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" He greeted those assembled there with a smile. "My name's Ethan McCarthy and I'm an experimental herbologist at the German Ministry of Magic. I wanted to talk to you all today about some of the work that we do in environmental protection, specifically with hybrid plant life. I'm going to try to keep this brief, but of course if you have any questions when I'm done, feel free to ask.

"In case you don't know what hybrid plants are, they are simply plants that have been successfully cross-bred with other plants to take advantage of certain traits and get rid of other, less advantageous traits. Sometimes the plants are closely related, sometimes they are not, and sometimes it is more experimental to see what will happen. And sometimes it doesn't work at all. But when it is successful, we can find ourselves with superior plants and sometimes with completely new species.

"Some of the biggest advantages we see in hybrids are cross-breeding plants for specific traits that growers and consumers want. Some plants are resistant to drought, others are resistant to pests, some yield better tasting crops, others yield cheaper food sources for livestock, among other things. Some hybrids are actually brand new varieties of plants that end up having the traits that people want, and often they provide better products for less money. Of course there are disadvantages too. They can take longer to develop which makes them initially more expensive. And their seeds may not always produce the same type or superior plants." But no need to go too much into that right now. It wasn't exactly the point of this presentation, but he could expand if someone wanted him to.

"I brought some of the plants that we've been developing here with me today. They are all combinations of either two magical plants or a magical plant combined with a mundane one to achieve superior and beneficial results." Even though they were considered mundane, many of those plants had quite desirable qualities. Ethan wasn't exactly fond of the term mundane. "These young, decorative trees for example, the mumbling magnolias," he gestured to the saplings behind him. "They've been bred to increase sound-proof qualities. Plant a few around the edge of your yard and it's almost as good as cast Muffliato around the perimeter." Of course, their full benefit would come when they were at full height.

"The Deep Green Dracaena can be potted indoors or planted outdoors, and it has been bred to effectively reduce air pollution by increasing its output of oxygen and its intake of carbon dioxide." He gestured to the midsized greenery in the pot next to him and then to the smaller grouping of plants as he continued to the next selection. "We also have several varieties of Shrivelfruit plants for anyone who'd like to sample a taste. They're hybrids of the shrivelfig which has been selected for its superior hardiness in harsh environments and have been most useful in helping to preserve some endangered fruit-producing plants."

He gestured next to the trays of cut-up fruit and vegetables, products of the different shrivelfruit varieties. "Please help yourself to a sample if you'd like. And if anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them."

OOC: The samples would either taste like a combination of two fruits or simply be extra juicy vegetables. As these are still in the experimental stage, feel free to make up the combination or flavor.

TeafortheSoul · 07-01-2017, 11:53 AM

Even if Minister Scabior hadn't committed herself to attending each and every one of the presentations, she'd still have made sure to attend this one, being as Ethan McCarthy was a former student of hers, from her time as Charms Professor at Hogwarts so many years ago.

She was particularly interested in the Mumbling Magnolias. Interesting. Could be useful. She'd have to ask the young man about those at a later date. She DID go ahead and taste test some of the hybrid fruits, wondering if any of them would suit her daughter's palate.

Probably her husband would be scornful about it, just for the sake of it.

At the end of the presentation, she applauded and left. Busy busy.

Bazinga · 07-03-2017, 06:34 PM

Minerva was of course there for her husband. She was so proud of him. He had worked hard at the ministry in Germany and he was now a key speaker at this conference. What a great chance and she had thought maybe it would be fun to bring the children to see their father, but then decided against it and left them with her mother in law as she went alone with him. They didn't need children distracting anyone while her husband was giving such an important seminar.

Taking her seat she did give a small wave to no one other than her mentor, her role model, and her former charms professor. She was so proud of her becoming the minister and shew ould have to find her, but later. Right now her husband was getting started.

She listened very closely and nodded along as he spoke. She tried to keep up with everything he said even if she had heard it already as he practiced. She applauded when he finished and got up. Shew as going to speak to Minister Scabior, but the woman disappeared before she could.

No, bother though she'd find her later. Right now she was going to try some of that tasting stuff and go stand near Ethan.

*Kolyander* · 07-06-2017, 02:26 PM

Normally, Evan wasn't a man all to interested in listening to someone speak about trees. However his daughter was but she had disappeared a few moments earlier telling him she would be right back. It had been slightly odd that she had taken off but the girl wasn't a child and therefore he hadn't questioned it...just than.

Anyhow the speech was beginning and the dark haired man found himself actually listening and not completely zoning out as he had first thought he would. A few interesting things had been said about the hybrid trees and plants, one thing catching his attention right away. The mention of some hybrid trees that can be planted around the outside of his home and muffle any sound was very appealing. Having five young children meant there as always a lot of noise, factor in that he also had older children starting families and siblings with families meant a TON of noise. Not having to always worry about casting quieting charms would be very helpful.

As the end of the speech was given, Evan approached the front of the greenhouse and Ethan McCarthy. He had just a simple question really before he continued on his way. "Yes, I was just wondering about those noise reducing trees you mentioned. Is there a time-frame in which you believe these may be available?" Was there any chance that it would be sometime in the very near future?

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